Moving to France Forums

France Information · Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 33 Home Country: france

NIGHTLIFE IN FRANCE (STRASBOURG & AVIGNON)

STRASBOURG

The student population keeps Strasbourg’s nightlife vibrant. Many of the regular hotspots are clustered around the Cathedral and along rue des Juifs, however, it is worth considering other options – such as an evening tour on a bateau-mouche or the son et lumière performances at the Cathedral in the summer.

Bars stay open until at least 2330 and often until 0400. The legal drinking age in France is 16 and the average price of a beer is approximately €3. Dress code and admission requirements are not an issue in Strasbourg.

Visitors proficient in the mother tongue can refer to Strass’Night, published by the tourist office, for nightlife listings and information. There is also an excellent online source of useful information, also in French (website: www.strassbuch.com ), compiled by knowledgeable local students.

Bars: Le Zurich, 59 rue de Zurich, is a sparse but comfortable café, very popular with students during term time. Decorated with faded photographs, it has a certain old-world charm and draws a mixed bunch, who gather to chat, read the newspaper or play cards. The relaxing Académie de la Bière, 17 rue Adolphe Seyboth, is open daily until 0400, serving over 70 varieties of beer (including beer cocktails) in gorgeous, wooded interiors. Le Schluch, 3 rue de l’Outre, is a large, friendly and centrally located bierstub, not far from place Kléber, while the Quai des Bières, at the pont du Corbeau, is best visited for happy hour (1730-2000). It offers a large choice of beers and cocktails. Another must is Les Frères Berthom, 1 place des Trippiers, with attractive decor, friendly staff, a good variety of beer and excellent cocktails – small wonder it is so popular.

Murphy’s House, 9 rue des Frères, is the obligatory Irish pub, although not the only one in the city. It comes complete with Celtic music and pop and British television. Irish Times, 19 Rue St Barbe, also has live music, and is popular with students. They have a quiz night on Wednesdays and an open mike sessions on Tuesdays. Pub Nelson, 20 rue des Couples, is another anglophile hangout, with a wide choice of beers from England, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, France and Germany. The popular Tapas Café, 16 rue de Bain Finkwiller, is an ideal place to sink a jug of Sangria with friends. Designed by cutting-edge architect Jean Nouvel, Le Schutzenberger, 29-31 rue des Grandes Arcades, is a hyper-trendy, futuristic, three-levelled bar that serves good tapas and snacks and is open daily 1000-0200 (later at the weekend).

Perennial favorites include Les Aviateurs, 12 rue des Soeurs, and La Java-Le Village, 6 rue du Faisans. More dignified evenings are in order at the Hilton Hotel, avenue Herrenschmidt, which draws the business community with its ever-so-British Churchill Bar.

Casinos: Casino de Niederbronn, 10 place des Thermes, Niederbronn, is the region’s one and only casino, situated to the north of Strasbourg. Games include the traditional roulette and blackjack, as well as slot machines. The dress code is smart, the minimum age is 18 years and a passport is required for entry.

Clubs: Le Divan, 6 impasse de l’Ecrevisse, features Latin music, house, groove and salsa (Tue-Sat). A mixed crowd dance the night away at Le Chalet, 376 route de la Wantzenau (Wed-Thu 2200-0400), with two dancefloors, karaoke, restaurants and bars in a large, flash complex. Another mammoth venue, Le Colysée, route de Mommenheim, in nearby Brumath, is open Tue-Sun 2200-0400 and Wed 2030-0400, boasting one of the largest dancefloors in the region, along with lasers, restaurants, and frequent themed evenings. For a more intimate evening, La Cascade, 17 rue des Moulins (Thu-Sun 2200-0400), is an attractive little discotheque, situated in the heart of the Petite France district. Le Joker, 7 Simenstrasse (Fri-Sat 2200-0500), is located in the industrial Kehl district and the venue of choice for fans of RnB. Two-level bar-club Le Café des Anges, 42 rue de la Krutenau (Tue-Sat 2100-0400), plays salsa with tango, as well as jazz and groove. Le Blue B, 1 rue du Miroir (Tue-Sun 2200-0400) is a good all rounder, with friendly staff, star-studded decor, a well-stocked bar and good music. For a student vibe, Le Caveau, 1 place de l’Université, situated under La Gallia student canteen, is about as studenty as it gets. For those who just want to keep partying, Le Rock City, 24 rue des Poules, has after-parties on Saturday and Sunday 0400-0700, with the emphasis very much on rock.

Live Music: La Salamandre, 3 rue Paul-Janet, open Wed-Sunday 2100-0400, is a popular venue that hosts around 40 major concerts every year. International stars to have graced the stage include The Stranglers, Les Négresses Vertes, Pulp and Tri Yann. With space for around 500 people and reasonable prices, early booking is advisable. In the absence of major performances, check out salsa, 60s, 80s, student, flexigroove and reggae evenings. The older members of the community are treated to ballroom dancing on Sunday nights. Another top venue for live performance is La Laiterie, 10 rue du Hohwald. Le Griot, at the impasse de l’Ecrevisse, just opposite the Hôtel de Ville, on place Broglie, is one of Strasbourg’s best jazz clubs.

AVIGNON

The lively nightspots are situated around place de l’Horloge, place du Palais, trendy rue Carnot and place des Corps-Saints and all become frenetic during the Avignon Festival. Licensing hours are not strict in France and bars stay open quite late, some past midnight, while some clubs are open well into the small hours. The legal drinking age in France is 16 years and the average price of drink while out and about in Avignon is €4. Dress codes and admission requirements to clubs are not an issue in Avignon, where smart-casual rules the day.

The Avignon Tourist Office distributes the free monthly arts, events and music listings magazine, Rendez-Vous d’Avignon (also available in arts centers). This is well worth getting, as it provides up-to-the-minute information about what is on in Avignon.

Bars: Bars with a buzz include Pub Z, 58 rue de la Bonneterie. Open until 0130, the bar is owned by a rocker, enamoured of zebras, which dominate the decor. A medley of arty types hang out amid the mirror-lined walls and modern sculptures of Le Grand Café, located at cultural hub La Manutention, 4 rue escalier Ste Anne, where decent food is served. Esclave Bar, 12 rue du Limas, is a popular gay bar and disco.

Clubs: Avignon is not a clubbing center, although there are some small venues, such as the eclectic Red Zone, 25 rue Carnot, which plays anything from salsa to house and is open 1900-0300. Bokao’s, 9 bis, boulevard Quai Saint Lazare, has a chill-out café as well as dancefloor and VIP area. The biggest clubs are located approximately a 10-minute drive from Avignon and include Le Privé Club, route de Tavel in Les Angles, a techno and house venue in an old quarry.

Live Music: AJMI Jazz Club at La Manutention, 4 rue escalier Ste Anne, is a popular jazz venue on Thursday night. Rock is played at Le Bistroquet bar, Quartier du Mouton, on Ile de la Barthelasse, while regular concerts are held at Les Passagers du Zinc, 23 route de Montfavet.